Summary of Attractions in Settle
Nestled amidst breathtaking scenery at the southern reach of the Yorkshire Dales, Settle is a charming stone-built town situated along the River Ribble.
The National Park is an essential aspect of exploring Settle, where you can experience waterfalls, cliffs, limestone gorges, remote caves, and peaks exceeding 700 meters in elevation.
However, you need not be a mountaineer, as the Settle-Carlisle railway allows you to appreciate the dramatic beauty of the Yorkshire Dales from the comfort of a train.
In addition, Settle features several attractions that may encourage you to extend your visit, including a museum housed in a 17th-century mansion and a stately Victorian music hall that remains central to community life.
1. Museum of North Craven Life at The Folly
Settle’s most distinguished structure is this Carolean mansion, originally constructed for the affluent 17th-century lawyer Richard Preston on the town’s southern approach.
The Folly now serves as the esteemed Museum of North Craven Life, but has historically functioned as a lavish residence, farmhouse, warehouse, bakery, fish and chip shop, and bank, among other purposes.
Restored and inaugurated as a regional museum in 2001, this attraction showcases a substantial collection through temporary exhibitions.
As of March 2019, notable exhibitions included prints inspired by the Dales, a history timeline of The Folly, eerie narratives from the graveyard of Settle’s Holy Ascension Church, and “Curiosity,” featuring an assortment of treasures from the museum’s collection.
2. Ingleborough
To reach the 723-meter Ingleborough, the second-highest peak in the Yorkshire Dales, one can commence from Ingleton, approximately ten miles to the northwest.
From this picturesque village, located beneath a Victorian railway viaduct, a 7.5-mile round trail leads to the summit, during which you will navigate a field of potholes at Crina Bottom and ascend a steep climb through limestone cliffs.
Another accessible path departs from Horton in Ribblesdale, conveniently reached by car from Settle.
The summit of Ingleborough features a slightly convex plateau measuring a mile in circumference.
The northern and eastern edges host the remnants of a wall dating back to a Roman encampment and Iron Age hill fort, while to the southwest, you may catch sight of Snowdonia, located 103 miles away in Wales.
Ingleborough is part of the Yorkshire Three Peaks, a trio of significant hills encircling the head of the Ribble River Valley, alongside Pen-y-Ghent (694m) and Whernside (736m), often tackled in a single excursion by those seeking a challenge.
3. Stainforth Force
Among the closest natural attractions to Settle, Stainforth Force is merely a five-minute journey from the town center.
For a leisurely visit, one may walk there in about 45 minutes via the Ribble Way, tracing the river back to the village of Stainforth.
This waterfall presents a remarkable series of cascades as the river flows over shallow limestone shelves, ultimately falling into a broad and deep pool.
You might choose to remain on the ledges along the river’s western bank to observe leaping salmon and gaze upstream towards a small stone linking the village to a caravan park, both concealed from view by trees.
4. Scaleber Force
You can traverse the secluded High Hill Lane, lined with drystone walls, to encounter another captivating waterfall in the Yorkshire Dales.
Scaleber Force is reminiscent of a scene from a Medieval romance, pouring over rocky ledges into a wooded gorge adorned with ferns and moss.
The water of Scaleber Beck is notably clear, and for those seeking adventure, the stratified rocks allow you to ascend (within reasonable limits) for an ideal photograph of the falls.
Scaleber Force is only a couple of minutes’ walk along a path through woodland from the High Hill Lane roadside.
5. Victoria Hall
This stunning 19th-century structure serves various purposes for the residents of Settle.
Victoria Hall was established in 1853 as the Settle Music Hall, making it the oldest remaining music hall in the UK.
Throughout the day, numerous activities occur here every week day except Sunday.
These events may include dance lessons, fitness classes, adult education sessions, local MP Julian Smith’s surgery, and markets scheduled on Tuesdays and Saturdays.
In the evenings, the venue hosts a range of live music, spoken word performances, films, broadcasts from major cultural institutions, plays, and comedy acts.
6. Victoria Cave
This excursion can easily be accomplished in a morning, featuring a 4.5-mile circular path leading to the cave, situated amidst herds of Highland cattle.
Victoria Cave acquired its name after the year 1837, coinciding with Queen Victoria’s ascension to the throne.
The route departing from Settle is delightful, meandering along Constitution Hill, bordered by Georgian houses.
Outside the town, the path ascends steeply, allowing for restorative views over Ribblesdale.
Upon its discovery, remains of elephants, hippos, rhinos, and hyenas dating back approximately 130,000 years were unearthed in Victoria Cave.
Additionally, evidence of human presence in the Yorkshire Dales emerged in the form of a harpoon point found among 11,000-year-old reindeer bones.
Roman-era artifacts, including coins, pottery, and brooches of varying origins, were also compelling finds.
7. Hoffmann Kiln
Situated at Langcliffe above the eastern bank of the Ribble, this extraordinary industrial relic was constructed by the Craven Lime Company in 1873. The Hoffmann Kiln, named for its inventor Friedrich Hoffmann, converted limestone blocks into burnt lime, essential for agriculture, textiles, paper manufacturing, and creating mortar for construction.
This process involved 22 burning chambers arranged in a circuit, with lateral openings facilitating the transfer of lime to adjacent railway wagons.
The kiln has been derelict since the 1930s; however, the site remains well-preserved, featuring a thrilling tunnel dimly illuminated by small portals positioned every few meters.
Informational panels located outside provide insights into the kiln’s operation.
8. Settle-Carlisle Line
Constructed in the 1870s, the Settle-Carlisle line is one of the final major railway lines established in the UK.
Faced with the challenging landscape of the Yorkshire Dales, this endeavor exemplified Victorian innovation and tenacity, alongside the struggles faced by workers living in makeshift settlements during its construction.
The line spans 72 miles and includes 380 bridges featuring 14 tunnels and 21 viaducts.
Noteworthy is the remarkable Ribblehead Viaduct, extending 400 meters and rising more than 30 meters above the Ribble Valley.
What is particularly appealing is that this railway remains part of National Rail’s mainline, enabling access to one of the world’s most picturesque train journeys.
In the summer, various steam services operate by private operators, and anyone visiting Settle Junction station on a Saturday should not miss the Victorian timber signal box.
9. Malham Cove
Venturing deeper into the Yorkshire Dales toward the village of Malham, located just a few miles to the east, presents several compelling attractions.
One such site is the grandeur of Malham Cove, a curved limestone cliff surmounted by limestone pavement.
This feature is the product of a massive waterfall that transported meltwater over 12,000 years ago at the conclusion of the last Ice Age.
It is easy to envision the scale of this flow, measuring 300 meters in width and 80 meters in height.
The cliff, along with its resilient overhangs, attracts climbers and has been featured in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1. A circular trail connects Malham Cove to additional nearby attractions such as Janet’s Foss below and Gordale Scar, a narrow limestone gorge with walls soaring 100 meters high.
10. Janet’s Foss
Located directly downstream from Gordale Scar, Gordale Beck cascades over the small yet exquisitely formed Janet’s Foss.
This waterfall flows over limestone adorned with volcanic tufa, situated in a serene green enclave enveloped by moss and foliage.
If approaching from Malham, a 20-minute walk along the lush valley from the car park leads to Janet’s Foss.
From here, the trail continues upwards toward Gordale Scar.
For optimal viewing, it is advisable to visit after a period of substantial rain, which should not pose a challenge in the Yorkshire Dales!
11. Gallery on the Green
Self-identified as the “smallest gallery in the world,” the Gallery on the Green is housed within the red Upper Settle phone box acquired by the town council in 2009. This K6 type phone box, designed by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott in 1935 (who also designed the power station that evolved into the Tate Modern), was subsequently given to the local organization Cultivating Settle, which transformed it into a unique gallery accessible 24 hours a day.
The Gallery on the Green relies entirely on donations and has hosted nearly 30 exhibitions over the decade since its inception.
As of early 2019, an exhibition featuring photography of the majestic sycamore adjacent to the phone box on the green was on display.
Previous exhibitions encompassed studies of Ingleborough (Big Hill in a Small Space), a mixed media tribute to Canadian residents (Canada Calling), and an exploration of the evolutionary process (Archaos II).
12. Ribble Way
Settle lies on a 73-mile footpath that closely follows or transitions near the River Ribble, commencing at the river’s mouth on the Irish Sea in Longton and concluding at Ribblehead high within the Yorkshire Dales.
This path conveniently allows for hikes to several notable natural formations mentioned in this article, including Stainforth Force.
On the riverside, you will encounter the stately remains of former cotton and snuff mills, as well as Settle Hydro, a pioneering community-owned hydroelectric project.
While walking to Stainforth Force, you may be accompanied by kingfishers and herons, or even witness peregrine falcons soaring overhead.
For a challenging yet fulfilling detour, one might scramble up the incline from Stainforth to another waterfall at Catrigg Force.
This ascent provides panoramic views of Ribblesdale, while the falls are situated in a magical, sheltered gorge.
13. The Courtyard
The Courtyard functions as a shopping and dining hub located amidst a cluster of stone barns just off the A65 outside Settle.
You can explore fine tweed crafted by the Abraham Moon woollen mill, luxurious home decor items from Dalesbred, beauty services at Bellezza Dentro, and fresh produce including free-range eggs, bread, honey, and preserves from the Roaming Hen Farm Shop.
Gourmet diners are attracted to the Courtyard’s Brasserie, which utilizes locally sourced ingredients to prepare traditional British recipes with contemporary flair.
The menu undergoes changes every two months to reflect seasonally available ingredients.
14. Settle Falconry
The dramatic uplands of the Yorkshire Dales provide an ideal setting for falconry.
Operating within the National Park, Settle Falconry is a small organization offering bird of prey experiences, available in one-hour or half-day sessions.
During the hour-long experience, participants can wear a falconer’s glove and summon a trained buzzard or Harris hawk from the trees.
In the more extensive sessions, individuals have the opportunity to handle falcons, kestrels, hawks, and owls during an engaging adventure in the Dales.
Settle Falconry also features a farmhouse tearoom serving homemade cakes, providing a cozy starting point for an unforgettable experience.
15. Settle Stories Festival
The biennial Settle Stories Festival, initiated in 2010, centers around the spoken word, creative concepts, and digital artistry.
Spanning three days, the festival offers an engaging array of performances, exhibitions, outdoor storytelling trails, plays, and workshops focusing on diverse topics such as writing, digital storytelling, weaving, enameling, and pottery.
To provide a glimpse of the festival experience, the 2018 edition featured Brazilian journalist and storyteller Ana Maria Lines, presenting a performance inspired by Frida Kahlo, alongside Sierra Leonean contemporary storyteller Alim Kamara.
Outside festival dates, Settle Stories remains active, organizing creative writing and mindfulness retreats, and hosting temporary exhibitions at venues like Settle Library.
